After losing dozens of shadow clones in succession, a few lucky ones finally reached the deepest part of the Heavenly Tomb.
"Bang!!!"
The first shadow clone to enter the core area of the Heavenly Tomb immediately performed the Summoning Jutsu, calling the main body to its side.
As soon as Xiao Feng regained his senses from the teleportation, he activated his Dou Qi and loudly declared, "Xiao Feng, an unworthy descendant of the Xiao Clan, humbly requests the presence of Ancestor Xiao Xuan!"
Due to Xiao Xuan's overwhelming strength, he was heavily restricted within the Heavenly Tomb, only able to leave his tomb mansion once every ten years.
However, he could manifest a projection of himself within the core area. Even this projection was formidable—in the original work, it effortlessly obliterated two Soul Bodies at the level of One-Star Dou Saint in a single move.
"Whoosh!"
The moment Xiao Feng finished speaking, a faint azure figure silently appeared before him.
Though the figure emitted no discernible aura, in Xiao Feng's eyes, he seemed to blend seamlessly with the entire world, as unfathomable as an endless abyss.
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Xiao Feng immediately dropped to his knees and performed a deep bow.
During the Xiao Clan's ancestral ceremonies, Xiao Feng and others would always follow Xiao Zhan to the ancestral hall to pay respects.
As the revered ancestor of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xuan naturally deserved such reverence!
"Good child, rise quickly."
Xiao Xuan smiled, reaching out to lift Xiao Feng up, patting his shoulder as he said, "I know you must have many questions. Come with me! I have waited too long for this day."
Under Xiao Xuan's guidance, the two flew deeper into the Heavenly Tomb. After a while, they finally stopped before an ancient stone stele.
Even after countless years, the ancient stone stele still radiated a mysterious aura, making one's soul tremble instinctively.
"Feng'er, this is my tomb mansion. Follow me inside!"
With those words, Xiao Xuan transformed into a streak of azure light and merged into the ancient stone stele.
Seeing this, Xiao Feng immediately followed. The moment his body touched the surface of the stone stele, it was as if he had stepped into water—he passed right through.
His vision blurred for a moment, and when he regained focus, he found himself inside an ancient temple.
Xiao Xuan, dressed in simple azure robes, stood with his hands behind his back. Before him was a pool of clear water, where delicate azure lotuses floated, exuding a faint fragrance.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Xiao Xuan sighed lightly and asked, "Can you tell me about the current state of the Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Feng did not hesitate to respond, "Ancestor, the Xiao Clan no longer exists. Only a remnant of our family remains, hiding within Wu Tan City…"
He then recounted the Xiao Clan's decline over the years without reservation.
Xiao Xuan listened quietly before nodding. "The fall of the Xiao Clan was inevitable, as I had foreseen. However, as long as even a single ember remains, there is still hope for revival."
He had long expected this outcome. Otherwise, he would not have waited in the Heavenly Tomb for a thousand years without a single Xiao Clan descendant appearing before now.
"Good child, you have endured much hardship over the years."
Xiao Xuan stepped forward, patting Xiao Feng's shoulder with a gratified expression.
For Xiao Feng to have grown from the dwindling Xiao Family, where even a mere Dou Grandmaster was the strongest, to his current peak Second Transformation of Dou Venerate strength, he must have suffered unimaginable hardships.
"Ancestor, I am a member of the Xiao Clan. Leading our family back to glory is my duty. I do not find it to be suffering."
Xiao Feng shook his head before looking straight into Xiao Xuan's eyes and stating, "Ancestor, I have come today to invite you to leave the Heavenly Tomb with me and restore the Xiao Clan's former glory!"
"Child, I am afraid I must disappoint you. What you see before you is merely a remnant of my soul."
Xiao Xuan sighed with regret. "When I perished all those years ago, I had my body sent into the Heavenly Tomb so that I could exist in this form, waiting for your arrival.
But this form can only exist within the Heavenly Tomb. If I leave, my soul will dissipate completely."
"Ancestor, you are unaware—I stumbled upon an ancient ruin before coming here and accidentally fused with a strange space."
Xiao Feng spoke earnestly, spinning his tale. "That space is called the Hueco Mundo. It has the power to transform deceased souls into unique beings known as 'Hollows.'
After entering the Heavenly Tomb, I captured a batch of soul bodies and placed them into the Hueco Mundo, discovering that they could also be converted into Hollows and freely enter and exit the space."
As he finished speaking, Xiao Feng directly summoned a Hollowfied soul from within the Void Circle.
A towering man over two meters tall appeared. Aside from a small fragment of a white bone mask on his forehead and a fist-sized black hole in his chest, he looked very much like a normal human. His aura was comparable to that of a Two-Star Dou Venerate.
"Lei Kong, pay respects to the Master!"
The burly man immediately cupped his fists and bowed toward Xiao Feng.
The souls converted by the Hueco Mundo were not only absolutely loyal to Xiao Feng, but their affection for him was also raised to the highest level.
To them, Xiao Feng was akin to a savior, akin to a second parent.
"Oh? What an intriguing soul form."
Xiao Xuan had encountered many soul bodies before, but a Hollow like this was something entirely new to him.
At this moment, he started to believe in the existence of the Hueco Mundo. Otherwise, with Xiao Feng's capabilities alone, he could never have created such a unique soul entity.
A glimmer of light flashed in Xiao Xuan's eyes as he suppressed his excitement and said, "Feng'er, take me to this Hueco Mundo."
If Xiao Xuan could truly leave the Heavenly Tomb through the Hueco Mundo, then with his current peak Eight-Star Dou Saint strength, leading the Xiao Clan to rise again would be effortless.
"Ancestor, ever since the Hueco Mundo merged with me, its strength has become directly linked to my cultivation."
Xiao Feng hesitated slightly before continuing, "Because I am only at the peak of Second Transformation of Dou Zun, the Hueco Mundo can, at most, withstand attacks from a Half-Saint. Please be careful inside, Ancestor—don't accidentally break it."
"Rest assured, child. I am not a reckless fool."
"That's good to hear. Ancestor, please relax and do not resist."
As Xiao Feng spoke, he grasped Xiao Xuan's arm and activated the Hueco Mundo's spatial passage, taking him inside.
Upon arrival, Xiao Xuan couldn't help but frown slightly.
Compared to the energy within the Heavenly Tomb, the Hueco Mundo's energy was far too thin—barely enough to maintain his soul's existence.
If he were to engage in battle, the Hueco Mundo's energy wouldn't even sustain a few Heaven-Tier Dou Techniques.
(End of Chapter)